500,000 Subarus recalled for defective airbags

The recalls apply to several Subarus between 2003 and 2014 that have Takata airbags in the front passenger seat. Driver's seat front airbags are not affected by the recall.

»MORE: 1 million-plus vehicles under Takata airbag recall

A separate group of defective Takata airbags was recalled in late 2019, the agency said. Unlike the airbag inflators in the larger Takata recalls, the new recall involves non-azide driver inflators.

The defect can result in the airbag either exploding or underinflating during deployment.

Here are the Subarus affected:

The recall applies to those models sold or registered in all 50 states and Washington, plus Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Brands already included in the earlier recalls include Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge Rams, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen.

The NHTSA has a full list of vehicles affected by the recall. Find out if your vehicle is affected by clicking here.

The Takata inflator scandal first began in 2013. The Japanese company reportedly used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and inflate the airbags, but the chemical's reaction to high temperatures and humidity caused the canister to blow apart.

Twenty-four people have been killed and hundreds more injured by the inflators around the globe.